Église catholique inc.

Radio Canada Enquête – Épisode du jeudi 25 janvier 2024

Alors que les actions collectives contre des congrégations religieuses et des diocèses pour des abus sexuels et physiques se sont multipliées au Québec au cours des dernières années, une question se pose, incontournable : est-ce que l’Église a les moyens de faire face aux réclamations de plus en plus importantes?

La structure de plusieurs de ces organisations est complexe, et les données publiques, incomplètes.

Enquête a compilé les actifs des congrégations religieuses et de leurs corporations liées, ainsi que ceux des diocèses et de leurs œuvres, mis en cause dans des poursuites devant les tribunaux.

Et lève le voile sur cette richesse méconnue.



journaliste : Sylvie Fournier

journalistes à la recherche : Daniel Tremblay et Benoît Michaud

réalisatrice : Jo-Ann Demers

monteur : Charles Bergeron



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Archdiocese denies sex claims in latest historical lawsuit involving late priest

By Patricia Grell • September 25, 2025
Free Press - September 23, 2025 Somerset, MB - The Archdiocese of St. Boniface has denied a man’s claims he was sexually abused by one of its priests in rural Manitoba decades ago. The man, who’s in his late 60s, claimed in a lawsuit filed in the Court of King’s Bench earlier this year that he was sexually abused by now-deceased Catholic priest Rene Touchette in the village of Somerset, about 150 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg. In a statement of defence filed in late July, the archdiocese argued the lawsuit should be tossed out — and that the man has provided no proof of the alleged abuse.

Canadian court OKs priest's abuse suit against prominent priest, religious order

By Patricia Grell • August 15, 2025
National Catholic Reporter - August 13, 2025 London, ON - Ontario’s Superior Court has ruled that Fr. Michael Bechard, a diocesan priest from London, Ontario, can proceed with his civil lawsuit against Basilian Fr. Thomas Rosica and the Basilian Fathers of Toronto for alleged sexual abuse. The defendants had sought to have the matter handled exclusively in a Catholic canonical court, but Justice Evelyn ten Cate found that Canadian civil courts have jurisdiction and should hear the case. Bechard has also filed a separate complaint under Vos Estis Lux Mundi, Pope Francis’ 2019 rules for reporting abuse within the Church. The Diocese of London is not a party to the lawsuit and maintains its bishop acted appropriately when Bechard first reported the allegations in 2015. Justice ten Cate ruled that religious organizations are not exempt from Canadian law and rejected the argument that Bechard’s oath to canon law barred civil action. She emphasized that the Church’s canonical courts cannot award damages or impose vicarious liability, making civil proceedings necessary to ensure justice.
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